Benin mandates electronic payment of government travel allowances

A mandatory transition to digital finance

Benin's public administration is reaching a new milestone in the dematerialization of its financial procedures. Through circular number 0264-c/MEF/DC/SGM/DGTCP/DNC/TGE/CVR/ADN/SP signed on 25 September 2026, authorities are now mandating the electronic payment of travel allowances throughout the national territory. This measure applies to all state agents undertaking professional travel within the country.

This reform is led by Rodrigue Chaou, Minister Delegate in charge of Budget and Public Service. It establishes the progressive abandonment of cash or check payments for these allowances, in favor of direct digital financial transfers. The Ministry of Economy and Finance indicates that it has finalized the technical developments required to support this major transition.

Achievements of the Official Mission Management System

This generalization builds on the results of an initial technological phase called the Official Mission Management System (SEMO 1). This initial system, under the responsibility of the National Directorate of Control, served as a reference tool to design, monitor, and verify travel orders within the public service.

The use of this first platform generated concrete results in terms of cleaning up public finances. It made it possible to block simultaneous mission scheduling for the same agent, thereby eliminating overlapping situations. In addition, automated controls facilitated the identification and removal of ghost workers from payment registries.

Toward geolocation tracking of public servants

The implementation of electronic payment constitutes the core of the second phase of the program, named SEMO 2. The main objective of this step is to increase transparency in the use of the state's budgetary resources.

To consolidate this control system, the Beninese government plans to integrate new technological features. In the coming days, a geolocation mechanism will be deployed to track agents during their professional travel. This tool will serve to provide physical proof of the presence of civil servants at their mission sites, in order to secure the use of public funds.